Mission: STS-126, 27th station flight (ULF2)
Orbiter: Endeavour (OV-105)
Mission Number: Shuttle flight No. 125
Launch Date: Nov 14, 2008, 19:55 EST/00:55 UT
Launch Pad: 39A map  weather
Docking: Nov 16, 17:01 EST/22:01 UT
Mission Elapsed Time: 15 days, 20 hrs, 30 mins, 34 secs
[Chamitoff spent 183 days in space, 179 aboard the ISS, where Magnus remains]
EVAs: 4
Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base, California
Landing: November 30, 2008:
main landing gear touchdown: 15:25:06 CST
nose gear: 15:25:21 CST
wheels stop: 15:26:03
Distance Traveled: 6,615,109 miles
Inclination/Altitude: 51.6 degrees/122 nautical miles
Primary Payload: Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM)
Crew: Mission Commander: Christopher J. Ferguson; Pilot: Eric A. Boe; Mission Specialists: Stephen G. Bowen, Donald R. Petit, Robert S. Kimbrough, Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, launch: Sandra H. Magnus (Flight Engineer, NASA science officer, Expedition 17, 18), landing: Gregory Chamitoff (Expedition 17 Flight Engineer) Crew portrait
Contingency Shuttle Crew Support Mission: STS-319 (Rescue STS-126) - Discovery (OV-103).
Video: Windows Media Player .wmv format
STS-126 launches 2.07 MB
STS-126 ready for launch on Pad 39A 1.57 MB
Crew walks out to Astrovan 2.36 MB

Ahead of mission STS-126 to the International Space Station (and its role in contingency mission STS-400), Space Shuttle Endeavour has rolled over to launch Pad 39B. With Atlantis on Pad 39A, this is the first occasion since July 2001 that a Shuttle has been on each pad simultaneously.

During mission STS-125 (SM4), the fifth and final Shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope, Atlantis will fly further from the Earth than any other mission since Servicing Mission 3B (STS-109, Columbia) in March 2002. Atlantis' orbit excludes use of the International Space Station in an emergency, so Space Shuttle Endeavour has to be ready for launch on Pad 39B as a contingency (mission STS-400 - Rescue STS-125).

The crawler transporter which slowly carried the STS-126 Shuttle stack at about 1 mph along the crawlerway to the pad is one of two NASA still regularly uses, which were first used in the 1960's and which carried the 363 feet high Apollo Saturn V's to pads 39A and 39B (the Ares V is planned to be 18 feet taller, and more massive). First movement of Endeavour out of the Vehicle Assembly Building, beginning its 4.2 mile journey, occurred at 23:15 EDT (03:15 UT); the orbiter arrived at Pad 39B at 06:59 EDT (10:59 UT) on Friday, September 19.

Launching on mission STS-125, targeted for October 10, Atlantis' primary payload will be the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, the Wide Field Camera 3, and the Fine Guidance Sensor for the Hubble Space Telescope. Scott D. Altman will command the mission; the pilot is John M. Grunsfeld; K. Megan McArthur a Mission Specialist. Four other Mission Specialists, John M. Grunsfeld, Michael J. Massimino, Andrew J. Feustel and Michael T. Good will, between them, perform no less than five EVA's to service the telescope.

NASA plans to later roll Endeavour over to Pad 39A for launch of mission STS-126, currently targeted for November 12. Endeavour will carry a reusable logistics module to the International Space Station, containing supplies and new equipment, including additional crew quarters, a second treadmill for exercise in microgravity, regenerative life support system equipment and spare hardware.

Christopher J. Ferguson will command STS-126; the pilot will be Eric A. Boe. The STS-126 Mission Specialists are Stephen G. Bowen, Donald R. Petit, Robert S. Kimbrough, Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper and, launching, Expedition 17 Flight Engineer Sandra Magnus. Expedition 17 Flight Engineer Gregory Chamitoff, who launched to the ISS with STS-124 on May 31, will join STS-126 as a Mission Specialist and land on Endeavour.

September 19, 2008: An aerial view of the Launch Complex at NASA's Kennedy Space Center shows space shuttles on both pads. At top is space shuttle Endeavour, which rolled out Sept. 19, completing the 4.2-mile journey at 6:59 a.m. EDT. In the foreground is space shuttle Atlantis, preparing for its launch on the STS-125 mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted for Oct. 10. This is the first time since July 2001 that two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

September 19, 2008: The sign across Launch Pad 39B reflects workers’ sentiments for space shuttle Endeavour, which earlier completed rollout to the pad. At left of the shuttle are the open rotating service structure and the fixed service structure with the 80-foot lightning mast on top. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 19, 2008: Sitting atop its mobile launcher platform, space shuttle Endeavour welcomes the dawn after arriving on Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle includes the while solid rocket boosters and orange external fuel tank. First motion out of the VAB was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 19, 2008: Space shuttle Endeavour is hard down on Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle and mobile launcher platform it sits on rest atop the crawler-transporter that carried them from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion out of the VAB was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. At left of the shuttle is the open rotating service structure with the payload changeout room revealed. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 19, 2008: At NASA'S Kennedy Space Center, a waning moon, upper left, cannot compete with the lights surrounding space shuttle Endeavour as it arrives on Launch Pad 39B. The shuttle and mobile launcher platform it sits on rest atop the crawler-transporter that carried them from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion out of the VAB was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. At left of the shuttle is the open rotating service structure with the payload changeout room revealed. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 19, 2008: Space shuttle Endeavour rolls onto Launch Pad 39B at NASA'S Kennedy Space Center. The crawler-transporter is straddling the flame trench below. At left of the shuttle is the open rotating service structure with the payload changeout room revealed. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 19, 2008: Under a waning full moon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour makes its way to the launch pad atop the mobile launcher platform and massive crawler-transporter. First motion from the Vehicle Assembly Building was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 19, 2008: A waning full moon bears witness to space shuttle Endeavour’s rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, traveling at less than 1 mph atop a massive crawler-transporter. Endeavour sits on the mobile launcher platform with the crawler-transporter underneath. First motion was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 19, 2008: Shortly before midnight Sept. 18, space shuttle Endeavour leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, traveling at less than 1 mph atop a massive crawler-transporter. Endeavour sits on the mobile launcher platform with the crawler-transporter underneath. First motion was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 18, 2008: Shortly before midnight Sept. 18, space shuttle Endeavour leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, traveling at less than 1 mph atop a massive crawler-transporter. Endeavour sits on the mobile launcher platform with the crawler-transporter underneath. First motion was at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 18. Endeavour completed the 4.2-mile journey to Launch Pad 39B on Sept. 19 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center. Endeavour will stand by at pad B in the unlikely event that a rescue mission is necessary during space shuttle Atlantis' upcoming mission to repair NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, targeted to launch Oct. 10. After Endeavour is cleared from its duty as a rescue spacecraft, it will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for the STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. That flight is targeted for launch Nov. 12. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

September 11, 2008: In high bay 1 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Endeavour is lowered alongside its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters for mating. After additional preparations are made, the shuttle will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B. Endeavour is designated the rescue spacecraft for space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, targeted for October. After Atlantis has safely returned from its flight, Endeavour will be moved to Launch Pad 39A for its STS-126 mission to the International Space Station, targeted for November. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

September 4, 2008: Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop on the top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after more than a 6-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building. First motion occurred at 9:19 a.m. EDT and Atlantis was hard down on the pad at 3:52 p.m. At far left is the rotating service structure that will be rotated to enclose the shuttle for launch preparations. The shuttle stack, with solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank attached to Atlantis, rest on the mobile launcher platform. Movement is provided by the crawler-transporter underneath. The Sept. 2 rollout date was postponed due to Tropical Storm Hanna’s shift to a northern track. Atlantis is scheduled to launch on the STS-125 mission to service NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Launch is targeted for Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

October 9, 2007: The STS-125 crew portrait. From the left are astronauts Michael J. Massimino, Michael T. Good, both mission specialists; Gregory C. Johnson, pilot; Scott D. Altman, commander; K. Megan McArthur, John M. Grunsfeld and Andrew J. Feustel, all mission specialists. Credit: NASA

March 5, 2008: Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, these seven astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS-126 crew portrait. Astronaut Christopher J. Ferguson, commander, is at center; and astronaut Eric A. Boe, pilot, is third from the right. Remaining crewmembers, pictured from left to right, are astronauts Sandra H. Magnus, Stephen G. Bowen, Donald R. Pettit, Robert S. (Shane) Kimbrough and Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, all mission specialists. Magnus is scheduled to join Expedition 18 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-126. Credit: NASA

- The Editor, Space and Astronautics News; Credit - images and captions: NASA